Creative Colors vs Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Creative Colors vs Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Creative Colors Franchise
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Investment $179,125 - $266,650$55,000 - $761,135
Franchise Fee $49,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 7.5%5%
Advertising Fee 1%0.5%
Year Founded 19801978
Year Franchised 19911979
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee up to 20% of current fee$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Creative Colors Franchise
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Training Franchisee must participate in an initial training and familiarization course of three weeks duration held in Mokena, IL. You'll learn sales and marketing techniques, financial controls, upholstery coloring, restoration and repair methods, and other administrative and operational aspects of the Creative Colors International business. In addition, a Creative Colors International field representative will spend one week with you in your territory around the time your business commences operations to help you get started. On-The-Job Training: 40+ hours Classroom Training: 120+ hours On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 35 hours Additional Training: Annual regional meetings
    Support As a Creative Colors International franchise owner, you'll receive periodic visits from a trained field representative, who will provide guidance and quality control, and answer any questions you may have. In addition, you will receive a copy of the Creative Colors International Confidential Operations Manual, Training Manual and Employee Manual, which covers the policies and procedures involved in running your business. As the manuals are updated, revisions will be made available to you. And, of course, we'll be only a phone call away for answers to questions that arise during the day-to-day operation of your franchise, as well as having our Intranet available 24/7. Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Creative Colors

    In 1980, Jim and JoAnn Foster answered an ad in their local paper that described a new technique for dyeing vinyl and leather. The couple bought the license to use the technique in their area and began J&J's Creative Colors. To strengthen their business, the Fosters began researching, practicing and refining various techniques for repairing vinyl, leather and plastic, incorporating them into their business. J&J's worked with automobile, boat and recreational vehicle dealers, making repairs at the dealers' lots. The company began franchising in 1990 under the name Creative Colors International. Now franchisees across the country use the Fosters' techniques to repair the interiors of various vehicles at dealer lots before they are sold.We have a goal to reach 500 units nationwide in US, adding 100 units over next 4 years

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single Creative Colors International Franchised Business is $95,125 to $122,250. This includes $84,000 that must be paid to the Franchisor.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Area Development Creative Colors International franchised business is $179,125 to $266,650. This includes $168,000 that must be paid the Franchisor. The fee paid to the Franchisor covers the initial area development fee for 3 Franchised Businesses you will own and operate plus the Start-Up Fee for the 1st Franchised Business you open. For each additional Franchised Business you open, your investment is an additional $44,500 you must pay the franchisor.
    Veteran Incentives  $1,500 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #410 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine

    Founded in 1978, Grease Monkey centers provide preventive maintenance that meets manufacturers' recommendations for most makes and models of cars, with no appointment necessary. Grease Monkey International is the nation's largest independent franchisor of automotive oil change centers serving more than 2 million customers each year with 75% of them being return customers. Our "less hassle, more hustle!" customer experience is part of every signature Grease Monkey® service.

    Headquartered in Denver Colorado, the Grease Monkey® brand currently has more than 300 centers operating in the United States, Latin America, and China.
    GMI is not owned by a major oil company. Being independent means GMI's focus remains on helping customers properly maintain their car or truck, instead of selling a particular brand of oil. Since 1998, the company has offered a Monkey Shine program--a car wash adjacent to and in conjunction with the Grease Monkey Center.

    The estimated total investment necessary to begin operation of a Grease Monkey franchise ranges from $156,695 to $347,850, including between $5,000 and $50,000 which must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    If you elect to include a Monkey Shine Facility providing car wash services in conjunction with the Grease Monkey Center, the total investment increases between $151,650 and $761,135 depending on the configuration and size of your Monkey Shine Facility, none of which added costs is paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. Grease Monkey franchisees have the option to choose to operate a Monkey Shine Facility.
    Grease Monkey area developers acquire the right to develop multiple franchises, with a minimum of three Grease Monkey Centers in a designated development area. The total investment necessary to begin operation as an area developer to open three Grease Monkey Centers ranges from $55,000 to $65,000, all of which must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "franchiserankingscom"   "Entrepreneur
    #84 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #161 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #167 in Franchise 500 for 2021.